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See all 3 routes on Lower Susquehanna Water Trail

Maryland | Harford County / Lower Susquehanna Maryland

Lower Susquehanna Water Trail

Broad Creek Public Landing and return

Check current paddling conditions for this Lower Susquehanna Water Trail route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.

Route location

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Open access map
DistanceApproximately 1–4 miles bounded same-launch exploration; current map and shallow-water conditions control the turnaround
DifficultyModerate
Typical time1–4 hours depending on shallow water
ShuttleCar shuttle
The historic Town Creek Aqueduct crosses the C&O Canal corridor beside the Potomac River in Maryland.
River contextPotomac River corridor in Maryland; same-river or regional context only — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
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Conditions

Gauge history and hourly forecast

The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.

Gauge detail

Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

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Short-route forecast

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Route overview

Quick facts and what's next

Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.

Quick facts

On-water distanceApproximately 1–4 miles bounded same-launch exploration; current map and shallow-water conditions control the turnaroundBroad Creek Public Landing and return
DifficultymoderateThe source describes recreational moving water, but shallow rock, current, cold water, debris, and bridge or access hazards remain material.
ShuttleCar shuttleNo shuttle is required; launch and return at Broad Creek Public Landing after confirming the separate non-motorized soft-launch location, lot, dawn-to-dusk hours, and waterline.
PermitsCheck posted rulesFollow current Maryland State Park and Harford County launch fees, hours, parking, PFD/boating rules, Conowingo dam-release warnings, flashing-light/siren notices, hunting notices, marine/weather conditions, and posted closures. Camping at Susquehanna State Park requires a separate reservation; no riverbank camping is claimed.
CampingOptions nearbyBroad Creek Public Landing is day use. Arrange separate lodging or campground; no creek-bank, beach, or public-landing camping is claimed.
SeasonMar-NovSpring through fall is the practical planning season, but Maryland water levels, recent rain, temperature, debris, and daylight control every launch decision.

Plan ahead

Upcoming outlook

These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.

TomorrowChecking

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WeekendChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

A conservative same-launch Broad Creek exploration from Harford County’s public cartop landing into the Susquehanna-connected creek.

DirectionsApple MapsOpenStreetMap

Prepare this trip

Take the plan with you

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Start

Put-in

Broad Creek Public Landing soft access
Open map

Use the non-motorized soft launch at the end of the floating pier; the motorized ramp and roadway are not the cartop launch.

Finish

Take-out

Broad Creek Public Landing soft access return
Open map

The DNR record specifically warns of shallow water; no numeric safe-depth threshold is inferred from the Conowingo station.

Plan this segment

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Access caveats and watch for

Access caveats

  • Use the non-motorized soft launch at the end of the floating pier; the motorized ramp and roadway are not the cartop launch.
  • The DNR record specifically warns of shallow water; no numeric safe-depth threshold is inferred from the Conowingo station.
  • Private shoreline, fishing areas, and unmarked marsh are not alternate access or emergency exits.

Watch for

  • USGS 01578310 Conowingo discharge/stage and dam-release trend
  • flashing red lights, sirens, dam and wing-wall exclusion zones, current, wakes, wind, cold water, floating debris, thunderstorms, and bridge traffic
  • park fees/hours, limited lots, ramp versus soft access, downstream tide/wind, private shorelines, and hard named take-outs
  • Broad Creek soft launch, small cartop lot, shallow water, mud, fishing areas, Susquehanna connection, wind, wakes, tide, private banks, and daylight

Route gallery

See this route on the water

Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.

Two paddlers move downstream on the Monocacy River beneath wooded banks in Maryland.
Monocacy River Water Trail paddling contextPhoto by Saki / National Park Service
National Park Service public-agency image

Score & sources

Why this score

See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.

Read quality
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Gauge inputChecking

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Weather inputChecking

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Next stepChecking

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Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking

Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.

Why
  • Checking evidence-strength notes.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing

These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.

Gauge siteSusquehanna River at Conowingo, MD
DischargeChecking
Gauge heightChecking
24h trendChecking
24h changeChecking
Current bandChecking
Rain last 24hChecking
Rain last 72hChecking
Air tempChecking
Water tempChecking
WindChecking
GustsChecking
Rain timingChecking
Ideal rangeNeeds paddler reports
Known low-water floorNot calibrated yet
High thresholdNot calibrated yet
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreUSGS Conowingo telemetry with Maryland DNR/NPS Lower Susquehanna boating guidance
Gauge sourceChecking
Weather sourceChecking
Rainfall sourceChecking
NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named moving-water corridorMaryland DNR/NPS Lower Susquehanna Broad Creek Public Landing Water Trail, Approximately 1–4 miles bounded same-launch exploration; current map and shallow-water conditions control the turnaround

    The official DNR and NPS materials establish the Lower Susquehanna water-trail setting, public endpoint chain, park access, and route-specific dam/shallow-water controls. No fixed mileage is invented where the source does not publish one.

    Source

  • Authoritative public accessBroad Creek Public Landing soft access to Broad Creek Public Landing soft access return

    The current Maryland DNR public-water-access layer identifies the endpoint facilities and their ramp, soft-launch, fee, parking, or exclusion-zone controls. Coordinates are on/near-water access anchors and current operations must be verified.

    Source

  • Direct flow evidenceUSGS 01578310 Susquehanna River at Conowingo, direct same-river regulated-flow station

    This direct station provides current Susquehanna discharge/stage and release context, but it does not replace dam notices, visual conditions, marine forecast, or local endpoint checks.

    Source

  • Camping postureBroad Creek Public Landing is day use. Arrange separate lodging or campground; no creek-bank, beach, or public-landing camping is claimed.

    Susquehanna State Park camping requires a separate reservation; public docks and riverbanks are not assumed campsites.

    Source

  • Live gaugeUSGS 01578310, Susquehanna River at Conowingo, MD

    This is a direct same-river station. Readings are provisional and must be combined with trend and visual conditions.

    Source

  • Approved route imageryRights-cleared public-agency or public-domain corridor image

    Rights-cleared Maryland public-river image used as Lower Susquehanna context; it does not certify current release, dam, wind, access, or route hazards.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

Paddler reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.

More in Maryland

All 140 routes
Maryland route guideBrowse every tracked Maryland route.Harford County / Lower Susquehanna MarylandJump to routes in this region.

More on Lower Susquehanna Water Trail

All 3
Frank J. Hutchins Park to Lapidum Boating FacilityHarford County / Lower Susquehanna MarylandModerate · Approximately 5.1 miles access to access; confirm the current Lower Susquehanna Water Trail map distance and channel choiceLapidum Boating Facility to Shuresville LandingHarford County / Lower Susquehanna MarylandModerate · Approximately 8.7 miles access to access; confirm the current Lower Susquehanna Water Trail map distance and dam-safe endpoint boundary

Nearby routes by distance

Deer CreekSandy Hook Road / Deer Creek Conservation Area to MD 136 / Priestford Road · about 5 mi awayModerate · Approximately 5.6 American Whitewater miles from Sandy Hook Road / Deer Creek Conservation Area to MD 136 / Priestford RoadDeer Creek Water TrailWalters Mill Canoe/Kayak Launch to Benjamin’s Bridge · about 7 mi awayModerate · Approximately 6 miles downstream from Walters Mill to Benjamin’s Bridge, per the current Maryland DNR access recordDeer Creek Water TrailRocks State Park Rapids access to Ma & Pa soft access · about 10 mi awayHard · Approximately 0.7 miles to the recommended Ma & Pa area downstream; mandatory portage around the documented 150-yard Class III rapid group unless independently confirmed runnableElk Neck Water TrailsNorth East Beach canoe/kayak launch and Northeast River return · about 19 mi awayModerate · Bounded North East Beach/Northeast River same-launch exploration; use the current park map and marine chart for route distance and turnaround

Quick answers

Lower Susquehanna Water Trail paddling FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Lower Susquehanna Water Trail?

Paddle Today watches Susquehanna River at Conowingo, MD and uses Not calibrated yet as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.

Where does this Lower Susquehanna Water Trail route start and end?

This route starts at Broad Creek Public Landing soft access and ends at Broad Creek Public Landing soft access return, about Approximately 1–4 miles bounded same-launch exploration; current map and shallow-water conditions control the turnaround on the water.

Is this Lower Susquehanna Water Trail route good for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

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